IIT In Udaipur –A Master Stoke by Ministry of HRD

There is a saying in Mewari “gaon mein ayo genda, manakh hua venda.” A loose translation of this would be “there is new thing in the village, and all have gone crazy”. This seems to partially justify the news worthiness of getting IIT in Udaipur, cutting across caste, creed and party lines. Having said this and if nobody has notices it, the ministry of HRD, New Delhi, has played a brilliant trick on the BJP led Rajasthan government. On one hand the ministry can say that we have given an IIT to a non-congress government and on other had they have managed to create a regional chauvinistic stir in the BJP.

A recent study by a local newspaper shows that the minimum required land for an IIT is 240 ha or more. Now this land is obviously going to come from the government, and with the per capita land holding of Mewar region being less that0.25 ha a lot of land will be required to be acquired. The displacement of the tribal and other subsistence level farmers is inevitable for the setting up of IIT. In return we will get about 1000 students per year- these students will be selcted on an all India basis and perhaps not more than 5 of these brilliant engineers will work in Rajasthan. We will also get an excellent faulty to teach these crème-de-la- crème, however the faculty will be in all probability be chosen at National and International level. The supporting technical staff is also chosen at National Level. But wait there is hope, the supporting staff at the bottom of the IIT pyramid may perhaps will be absorbed by the IIT to serve tea, take files across or maybe work as domestic servants for the faculty. For proof, look around and see the faculty positions in the private dental colleges. Or take a look at the students’ profile in these colleges.

A lot of heat has been generated locally, for this cause, by the

1)intelligentsia

2)industry stalwarts

3)politicians (cutting across the party line)

4.)and of course how can one for get the the media. Let us discuss these groups separately before coming to synthesizing the efforts of these.

1) The intelligentsia consisting of senior retired bureaucrats, senior retired technocrats and renowned educationists along with their under studies, have made their statements. Politically correct ones “The IIT should come to Mewar, it is the land valour and education, we would further it by giving “inputs” as guest lectures to the students and the faculty.” The under studies are making bold statements which can not be quoted.

2) The local industry, in and around Udaipur, thrives on chemical and mineral based ores and whatever useful things they can find inside “Mother Earth.” The industry stalwarts heading the movement are from this group. Having said that, it would be under estimating the stalwarts, because these people have the ability to think ahead and know how to make money. Nothing wrong in making money, as one of the IIM puts it. What about accountability to the non-digitalized (leave alone aborigines of the “Rabbit Fence”) and less-literate people? But never mind this digitally world (politically correct word for the under privileged), what is the significance of IIT in Udaipur/Mewar for you or me? Is it like asking a Kharagpur adivasi what is IIT or for that matter asking Hauz Khas maid the same question. Then what is hullabaloo all about??? It is time to talk to the industrialists who made a “powerful 'power point' presentation” before Ms Vasundhra Raje, Chief Minister, of Rajasthan!

3) The politicians of all major and minor party have been making noises, as expected, at the right forum for IIT to be in Mewar. As the title suggests, it is a Master Stroke by the Minister(y) of HRD. Appears to be a win-win situation for Congress – take it and you will get the final clearance before the elections are declared, leave it – you have no one to blame but yourselves or to be precise your adversaries in the government.

4) The media seems to having a great time covering all the the people who give 'advertisements' and mileage to them. Speaking objectively, media is nothing but sensation ism combined with police reports and a lot of bollywood n flesh. Two major newspapers will be claiming and fighting that they IIT in Jaipur/Jodhpur/Kota/Udaipur or somewhere in Rajasthan. Do not forget it is a Masterstroke of Ministry of HRD (Courtesy: Mr Arjun Singh). Perhaps the PM or the President of the Congress is not aware of this?

Now do we still want IIT in/at Udaipur? You have the freedom of expression. Your views will be appreciated, tho' cant say if they will be forwarded to the President of India for consideration.